3D Printer Resin Exchange Assembly for Contamination-Free Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Three-dimensional printing systems using curable resins face challenges with reliability, maintenance, and contamination, particularly when switching between different resin formulations, requiring a method to change resins quickly without contamination.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows for the quick removal and replacement of resin-carrying components, including a conduit assembly and resin container, which provides a sealed fluid path to prevent contamination, using a latching mechanism and motorized actuator for efficient resin exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resin-carrying components are permanently installed in the printing system, then system reliability is improved, but resin changing time and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The resin delivery system is divided into separable components: a permanently installed fluid inlet and pump assembly, and a removable resin container with integrated conduit. This segmentation allows the resin container to be quickly exchanged while maintaining a reliable permanent connection point, resolving the contradiction between system reliability and resin changing speed.
2Ease of operation
If resin container and conduit assembly are integrated as removable components, then resin changing ease is improved, but risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resin container and conduit assembly are extracted as a complete removable unit from the printing system. By taking out the entire resin delivery path as a self-contained module, the system enables easy removal and replacement while preventing contamination through complete isolation of old resin from new resin pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin container and conduit assembly is designed as a disposable or easily replaceable unit. After use, the entire assembly can be discarded or replaced without cleaning or maintenance of the permanent system components, eliminating contamination risks while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If quick-release mechanism is implemented for resin container, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The quick-release mechanism merges the resin container, conduit assembly, and connection interfaces into a single integrated unit. This combining allows the entire resin delivery system to be replaced with one simple motion, improving maintenance efficiency while the modular design keeps the added complexity contained within the removable assembly rather than the permanent system.
Data Source
AI summary
A kit enables an efficient and contamination-free method of changing a resin used in a three dimensional printer from a first resin to a second resin. The three dimensional printer includes a print engine and a receptacle. The kit includes a conduit assembly and a resin container. The conduit assembly includes a fluid inlet configured to be affixed in the receptacle in an upward orientation, a pump head configured to be coupled to a motorized pump actuator in the receptacle, a first conduit coupling the fluid inlet to the pump head, a fluid outlet configured to supply resin to the print engine, and a second conduit coupling the pump head to the fluid outlet.